Ghanaian designer, Efua Flonta has a marriage and a life many women dream of. Her heart lies with her racy husband, Xavier and two young children. Her marriage vows are sacred until she meets a man who threaten everything she holds dear.

Sexy formula one racing champion, Xavier Flonta wants nothing more than to please his beautiful wife and children. When an old friend stops over, he does not bargain for one weekend of trouble. Will Efua and Xavier pull together to save their marriage in time for Christmas or will the hurt be too painful?

My Thoughts

Marriage can be a beautiful experience or journey if all the cards are played right and the partners involved love each other genuinely. For Efua and Xavier Flonta, everything is perfect, or so it seems. They both have damaging secrets that even their steamy nights and days cannot overshadow.

I read this book overnight. Fast paced just like the formula one driving Xavier, full speed and when I finished I knew I had really landed with a whoosh. 🙂

Stella has written a romance that makes one question the validity of one’s marriage vows especially in the face of such agonising and explosive revelations by the parties. But in the end, forgiveness becomes vital to keep the marriage together.

What is striking about Seduced Hearts is the strong extended family links. In Ghana, we say when you marry a person, you marry the whole family; Xavier and Efua have strong links to their extended families and the two entities are pivotal in the reconciliation, though in the end, Xavier and Efua have to fight their own demons, come to terms with their flaws and ultimately decide to let love prevail. Yes, as I mention flaw, let me add that both characters are nicely flawed and that make them human. Did I love the characters? Hmm, Xavier is my man, and when you read the book you will know why. 🙂

I give Seduced Hearts five ‘heart-shaped’ stars and highly recommend it to all lovers of romance and those who are interested in knowing about Ghana

AUTHOR BIO

Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku is a fun-loving mother of two teenagers, married to her gorgeous husband and best friend who indulges her romantic habits. Writing contemporary and historical romance novels is an exciting adventure for her. Out of curiosity and belief that love conquers all, she has written several Interracial & Multicultural Romance Novels.

In 2010, Stella created Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels, a collection of toe-curling, intriguing, and skin-tingling romance with compelling characters who have heart and soul and jump off the pages of the book. All her stories are dotted with twists and turns and are set in fascinating Africa, enticing Europe & enchanting America.

To experience and enjoy an intense emotional ride, pick up a copy of any of her novels: Loitering Shadows,Beyond the Lady, The Gardener’s Ice Maiden,Sparkling Dawn, Husband to Rent, Stolen Valentine Kiss (Holiday Series #1), Kiss My Lips (Holiday Series #2), Forbidden Dance, Stolen Valentine Kiss & Kiss My Lips (Holiday Series 2~ Books ~ in ~ 1), Tempting Desire, Seduced Hearts, Red Velvet Rose and Wild Whispers. Stella’s first historical/suspense/mystery romance, Royal Cowries (Cowries Series #1) will give you an insight into a different Africa.

A luxury home by the seaside is on Stella’s wish list. In her spare time, she loves to swim on her back like a starfish, watch TV, go to the movies with her family and read romance novels.

Author: Kiru TayeGenre: Contemporary RomanceEdition: KindlePublisher: Decadent Publishing CompanyPages: 294Publication date: May 2014Reasons for reading: Received this as free ebook from the author.

Blurb

Have you ever loved someone and didn’t even know it? That’s the dilemma facing Felix Essien when he wakes from a coma to find he is married to the most beautiful and sensual woman he’s ever known. He cannot remember her or their wedding; he who had sworn never to get married or to give his heart to another. Yet, he feels an intense bond with her that he intends to explore fully.

Ebony can’t believe her good fortune when her paper husband wakes not remembering the temporary marriage arrangement with no intimacies he’d proposed, and is now the adoring husband she’s always dreamt of. She plans to make the most of the passion blossoming between them. However, would he still feel that way when he regains his memory and realises she’s been keeping secrets and their marriage is not what he thinks it is?

My Thoughts

I must admit that while this is not the first of Kiru’s books I’ve read, Keeping Secrets is the first of her books to hook me from the word go. Well that is not entirely true. Her other books I read hooked me but Keeping Secrets did so in a forceful way. The book actually forced you to take a big note of it.! It is that very well written, with rich and poetic settings in Lagos, Nigeria. Maybe that was one factor that got to me; I mean Ghana and Nigerian are sisters so to speak but hei, we are no where near the grandeur and opulence of the nouveux riche in Nigeria! 🙂 And this was well displayed in Keeping Secrets with the opulence understated!

The Essiens are the kings of African finance. A close-knit family, their father is the patriarch of a finance dynasty that ranges from retail to investment banking spanning the African continent. Yet all is not as it seems. .

The story of Ebony and Felix, one of the Essien sons, is so gripping and fast paced, unfolding as you read along in flashback, thus the suspense and intrigue very well maintained till the end. As we all know, keeping secrets in any relationship especially marriage might be a big recipe for disaster and both Felix and Ebony have secrets that threaten their new marriage. Felix’ memory loss works to Ebony’s advantage but she is never at ease for fear that her husband would regain his memory. Nevertheless, she takes advantage of his obvious concern and passion for her.

The characters are flawed, but naturally and humanely so and therein lies the beauty of the characterization. I love them for the passion and love they show towards each other. The chemistry between them is so palpable, even with Felix’ memory loss. Perhaps, because of his deep love for her, he is able to see that things just do not seem to add up. Both characters are strong and stubborn; Felix, hot, masterful and always in control; Ebony sexy, elegant and independent. In the end, secrets, betrayals and manipulations gave way to love and forgiveness.

I don’t think I have really done justice to this book, honestly. You need to read it and see what I mean. 🙂 Kiru Taye is an expert storyteller in the romance genre; throwing in Igbo words here and there with doses of of Igbo culture and tradition to give the novel an authentic but contemporary African feel.

Keeping Secrets comes highly recommended to all lovers of romance and even more. I’m actually looking forward to reading the Books 2 and 3 in the series, Making Scandal and Riding Rebel respectively. 🙂

About Kiru

A lover of books, as a teenager Kiru Taye used to read novels under the blanket during lights-outs in boarding school. These days, with a young family to take care of, she’s still sacrificing sleep for the pleasures of a good book. During the day though, she transforms her wildly vivid imagination into sensual, atmospheric romance stories with passionate characters.

When she’s not writing or reading, she’d hanging out with family and friends or traveling. Born in Nigeria, she currently lives in the UK with husband and children.

Like this:

Love Gone StaleCan you ever forgive me,For all the wrongs When I knew no betterIn loving you.Can you ever forgive meFor all the sultry nights,When you cried yourself to sleep,The cheerless winds,Allowing you not a wink,As you flung yourself helplesslyOn the bed,Searching for hopeIn the dying embers of despair?Will you ever forgive meFor owning your heartOnly to drop it among the thornsUncaring, unfeelingThe sharp stings piercing youIn a thousand places? Will you ever forgive meFor lying to youWhen my hand in the canA new woman owns my heartMaking yours redundant?Will you ever forgive meFor the torture of your soulAs it cried out in desperationCalling out to meReaching out to meThrough a distance so widePieces of shattered hearts,Pieces of broken potteryI have failed youA love gone stale(C) Celestine Nudanu29th March 2012